Week 5- November 21-December 4
“The longest journey starts with a single step”
Will our students be ready for a knowledge based economy? This question was addressed in the article "21st Century Skills: Will Our Students Be Prepared?". Both educators and business leaders have come together to address the major concerns in dealing with a technology-based education system. Most of the recommendations were that the state needs to look into alternative assessments that involve innovation and the development of higher level skills through projects and portfolios. Standardized tests can only measure a few of the skills, while student creations can demonstrate knowledge and creativity. Teachers are teaching to the "tests" because that is the evaluation tool that is used in the classrooms, but until policy makers change the requirements teachers will still teach repetition and drill.
Without the change coming from the state and changes in curriculum it will be very hard for teachers to comply fully to using 21st Century Skills in the classroom. Right now too much is at stake if the curriculum doesn't get covered, if schools are on "academic watch', and if students don't pass the state tests. Teachers can not afford to not do well on the tests and there is a lot of pressure that is put on them to perform to standard.
I am a firm believer in a project-based classroom and the CGI model, but I also do not have the pressures of the tests riding on my shoulders. If my students were tested in creativity, logic, and communication skills they would pass with flying colors. Unfortunately, this is not the reality of our school systems. I do agree students get a variety of skills from using technology which includes: problem-solving, critical thinking, literacy, communication, and collaboration. However, they miss the basic fundamentals with project-based learning and many students need the one-on-one direct instruction. I think the school that are successful with the technology have an endless supply of resources that can be used. In lower-level income schools not every teacher has computer access availability. I would love to see/visit an "example" school where I could see 21st Century teaching in action!
This week in my classroom I have gotten a whole new set of students and I am excited to try some of the new approaches to teaching like the CGI model. I am going to try and focus on the "HOW" and "WHY" questions and make my students be more like investigators. We already do a lot of project based-learning, but I am excited to see how the students handle my "hands-off" approach. I want them to ask each other questions and learn through collaboration. We had a tech team meeting this week and I am concerned that the other teachers might not be able to use this method in the classrooms as much because of the lower level learners we have in our district. We agreed our students need more direct instruction. Any suggestions??
The student needs assessment survey is completed and I have truly enjoyed reading the "critical friend" evaluations. I definitely think ours needs survey to be done through an on-line survey software like goolge or survey monkey. I think that is what we will be working on next week. I am getting a little frustrated at reading about the same topics, reflecting, and very few post a response. It is hard to have a discussion without everyone participating! And why are there only two schools in our section?? I would like to be able to see other schools postings. I think Fostoria High and Middle should be split up so we can learn from others more. I think the discussion forum's should be graded because a lot of our team do not post and everyone should be involved! ... I am definitely learning and enjoying the conversations that are happening in our school!
“The longest journey starts with a single step”
Will our students be ready for a knowledge based economy? This question was addressed in the article "21st Century Skills: Will Our Students Be Prepared?". Both educators and business leaders have come together to address the major concerns in dealing with a technology-based education system. Most of the recommendations were that the state needs to look into alternative assessments that involve innovation and the development of higher level skills through projects and portfolios. Standardized tests can only measure a few of the skills, while student creations can demonstrate knowledge and creativity. Teachers are teaching to the "tests" because that is the evaluation tool that is used in the classrooms, but until policy makers change the requirements teachers will still teach repetition and drill.
Without the change coming from the state and changes in curriculum it will be very hard for teachers to comply fully to using 21st Century Skills in the classroom. Right now too much is at stake if the curriculum doesn't get covered, if schools are on "academic watch', and if students don't pass the state tests. Teachers can not afford to not do well on the tests and there is a lot of pressure that is put on them to perform to standard.
I am a firm believer in a project-based classroom and the CGI model, but I also do not have the pressures of the tests riding on my shoulders. If my students were tested in creativity, logic, and communication skills they would pass with flying colors. Unfortunately, this is not the reality of our school systems. I do agree students get a variety of skills from using technology which includes: problem-solving, critical thinking, literacy, communication, and collaboration. However, they miss the basic fundamentals with project-based learning and many students need the one-on-one direct instruction. I think the school that are successful with the technology have an endless supply of resources that can be used. In lower-level income schools not every teacher has computer access availability. I would love to see/visit an "example" school where I could see 21st Century teaching in action!
This week in my classroom I have gotten a whole new set of students and I am excited to try some of the new approaches to teaching like the CGI model. I am going to try and focus on the "HOW" and "WHY" questions and make my students be more like investigators. We already do a lot of project based-learning, but I am excited to see how the students handle my "hands-off" approach. I want them to ask each other questions and learn through collaboration. We had a tech team meeting this week and I am concerned that the other teachers might not be able to use this method in the classrooms as much because of the lower level learners we have in our district. We agreed our students need more direct instruction. Any suggestions??
The student needs assessment survey is completed and I have truly enjoyed reading the "critical friend" evaluations. I definitely think ours needs survey to be done through an on-line survey software like goolge or survey monkey. I think that is what we will be working on next week. I am getting a little frustrated at reading about the same topics, reflecting, and very few post a response. It is hard to have a discussion without everyone participating! And why are there only two schools in our section?? I would like to be able to see other schools postings. I think Fostoria High and Middle should be split up so we can learn from others more. I think the discussion forum's should be graded because a lot of our team do not post and everyone should be involved! ... I am definitely learning and enjoying the conversations that are happening in our school!
.... and the journey continues ....